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FIRE ESCAPE.

No. 329,359. Patented Oct. 27, 1885.

a Q Q' C @E fz Q 2 j@ MC @n 1L aff/f' UNITED STATES 'ATENT OFFICE.

JOHN BRCKNER AND JOHN J. BRCKNER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 329,359, dated October 27, 1885.

Application filed August 10, 1885. Serial No. 173,917. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN BRCKNER and J oHN J. BRCKNER, both citizens of the United States, and residents of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention consists of certain improve ments in the construction of fire-escapes in which a clamping-block carrying a device to support the person is combined with a suitable suspending-rope.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical section of our improved fire-escape. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view through the clampingblock. Fig. 4 is a view of a suspending device which may be employed, and Fig. 5 is a side view of the frame for carrying the person.

D is the suspending and clamping block provided with a hook, rod, or eye, d, into which engages an eye, e, on the traversing rope E, which passes through a pulley-block,

E', suspended from a suitable arm, P, secured in' the wall. The rope E from the pulley E passes down through a vertical opening in the block D to the ground in sufficient length to allow the rope, when doubled, to extend from the point of suspension to the ground. In one side of the block D is a recess, f, Figs. l and 3,) to which is adapted a clamp, F, embraced by a stirrup or strap, G, passing transversely through an opening in the block D, and there pivoted to the cam-portion of a lever, H, adapted to bear against the face or side of the block D, as shown in Fig. l. On depressing the handle of the lever H the strap G, and consequently the clamp F will be pulled over toward the body of the block, so as to firmly grip the rope E between the clamp F and the body of the block D, as shown in Fig. 1, and so prevent the descent of the block D. From the block D is suspended the frame A, the construction of which constitutes one of the features ofthe invention. rlhis frame is of the open rectangular form illustrated in the drawings, and is preferably suspended from the block D through the Inedium of ropes a, extending from the eyes d at the four corners of the block D. To the open frame-Work is secured a bag, B, of strong canvas or other suitable material, which thus affords a suitable receptacle for helpless persons or packages, which it may be desired to lower by means of this apparatus. This bag is of the ordinary round-bottomed or equivalent shape, without any frame or stiffener secured thereto at the bottom, so that it can be folded up into a comparatively small space. We provide the frame A with projecting fingers C at the four corners, these fingers constituting guards to come into contact with the wall in the descent when the fire-escape is in use. The frame Amay also be provided with hooks, H, as shown in Fig. 2, adapted to engage with suitable eyes, h, in the Wall when it is desired to secure the frame at any special height.

For convenience of storage, and in orderthat the device may be placed in a small compass, we hinge the frame A across the center A', as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, the hinge being ofsuch a character that the two parts of the frame will fold up in one direction onlythat is, downward-as indicated in Fig. 5.

Ve prefer in using the escape to pass the rope E down through the center of the bag B, as shown in Fig. l, but this is not material.

Ve claim as oui` ,inventionl. The combination of the block D and rope with a clamp, F, stirrup G, and cam H, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the rope, block, and clamp with an open rectangular frame suspended from the block, and having a roundbottomed bag, B, secured to the frame.

3. rPhe combination of the rope, block, and clamp with the folding frame A, suspended from the block, substantially as described.

4. The combination of the rope, block, and clamp with a frame, A, suspended from the block and carrying lingers O, substantially as and for the purpose described.

ln testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN BRUOKNER.

JOHN J. BRUCKNER.

lVitnesses:

WILLIAM F. DAVIS, HARRY SMITH. 

